The mayor's wife glanced at the silver teapot on the table, lifted her elaborate hairstyle, and said smugly: "You see, Aleksey, our hospitality is impeccable. That young man Hestingov has been looking at you with admiration recently. I knew that serving him well would definitely pay off. You'll surely soar in the officialdom in the future."
She gently picked up the teacup, her eyes filled with pride and fantasies: "Once he goes back, he'll certainly recommend you for a high position. Even if it's not a transfer to big cities like St. Petersburg or Moscow, at least you won't be stuck in a backwater like Druiysk. Even if they make you the director of the tax office in the provincial capital, wouldn't that be a godsend for our family to connect with such a noble person?"
The mayor took a deep breath, brushing off his fatigue, and his face shone with a hint of vanity.
